Korea has been our most important state because of trade and natural resources. Because of Korea's geographically well positioned peninsula, China has had a continually strong economy due to the consistant imports and exports. As Japan should recall, in 1885 we negotiated a treaty that permitted both Japan and us to send troops to Korea (1.) During the Tonghak Rebellion in 1894, Korea asked for aid in preventing a religious uprising. (2.) As a loyalty to Korea, we sent over 1500 troops to stand by Korea in suppressing this uprising. Apparently, Japan feared that we had alternative motivations and sent 5000 troops over as a caution against our military. In response to the Japanese refusal to remove their troops, we sent an additional 8000 troops to stabilize our hold in Korea.

On June 20th 1894, Japan made two disturbing acts that gave us every right to retaliate. First, Japan seized the Korean government which was followed by the sinking of the Kwang-Yi and it's troop ship. (3.) It was predicted that China's overwhelming amount of fleets would easily overtake the Japanese in a head on battle, but the Chinese government needed to make a better use of their 4 naval squadrauns as opposed to only having one central control. Japan's victory came wih many splinters in the Chinese government and Economy. Along with a large payment for the war coming out of the people's taxes came the Treaty of Shimonoseki. (4.) This treaty declared that China would have to provide for the cession of Taiwaan, The Pescadores, and the Liodong penninsula and that China would have to recognize Korea as it's own independent state. (5.) An Additional endowment to Japan was to allow them to manufacture locally in China.

Japan's attack was partially due to a continual rival dating back to 1931. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana. (6.) In this quote Santayana is referring to Japans denial of their past acts. If Japan weree to give a sincere apology for heir deeds then they could regain their trust from th rest of the world. "Trust must be earned with substance. (7.)

Chinese had an additional disadvantage to the war, which was that China was also caught up with foreign powers. Not only did this occupy the powers of China, but this was also vital pertaining to the distribution of money by the government at that time. Japan's main focus was soley on Korea and therefore, money was less of an issue. As a result of the Sino-Japanese war, China was forced to pay for the war, recognize Korea as an independent state and provide for the cession of Taiwaan, The Pescadores, and the Liodong penninsula. (8.) Although China was much bigger geographically than Japan, Japan defeated China due to technology and more modern techniques.

Sources:

1.) A.B. Feuer, "Steel and Shell off The Yalu River," [http://web7infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/426/614/17296837w7/4!sln 0+0+1],

2.) ed, Brian Hook The Cambridge Encyclopedia of China, (University of Cambridge, 1991), 227

3.) Feuer, 1.

4.) See T. Takeuchi, War and Diplomacy in the Japanese Empire (1935, repr. 1966); F.H. Conroy, The Japanese Seizure of Korea, 1868-1910 (1960)

5.) Ibid 1.

6.) "Alliance for Preserving the Truth of the Sino-Japanese War" [http://www.sjwar.org/bground.htm], Agust 1996

7.) Ibid 1.

8.) Takeuchi, 1.

Images:

1.) Marcus Wendal, "Sino-Japanese War" [http://www.skalman.nu/worldwar2/sino-jap.htm], January 2002

2.) "Yahoo Reference Map of China" [http://education.yahoo.com/reference/factbook/ch/map.html], copyright 2001

3.) Peter and Lois Gilder, "Great victory of the Imperial Navy (during the Sino-Japanese War)" [http://www.artsanddesignsjapan.com/cat21/text/57.html]